Cont  Pam  rixx\o  ffoon 


No.  43. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  OFFICER 

It  is  a  most  awakening  truth,  and  one  which  must  be 
received  on  the  authority  of  the  sacred  volume,  that  in 
whatever  state,  morally  and  spiritually  considered,  we 
leave  this  world,  in  that  very  condition  we  shall  remain 
forever.  The  man  whom  the  liour  of  death  finds  in  the 
possession,  through  Divine  ^race,  of  real  lioliness,  will 
be  lioly  for  ever;  while  he  who  closes  this  life  as  he 
speni  It,  rejecting  God,  and  slighting  tlie  offers  of  sal- 
vation, will  continue  hardened  and  impenitent  through 
all  eternity.  In  the  former  case,  never-ceasing  happi- 
ness will  be  the  consequence;  in  the  latter,  misery 
without  an  end.  Let  us  connect  these  considerations 
with  another,  which  scripture  and  daily  observation 
combine  to  press  upon  our  attention — the  uncertainty 
of  liuman  liie,  and  the  possibility  that  at  any  mon)ent, 
and  without  any  notice,  we  may  be  called  into  this  fixed 
and  changeless  state  of  existence;  and  it  would  appear 
impossible  not  at  once  to  arrive  at  a  proper  conclusion 
as  to  our  own  habitual  duty  as  dying  creatures,  yet  pos- 
^'^essed  of  immortal  souls.  Surely,  it  must  follow  that 
no  course  of  conduct  can  be  safe  or  right  which  will  not 
bear  the  test  of  eternity  applied  to  it,  and  of  which  we 
cannot  feel  satisfied  that,  were  eternity  to  break  upon 
us  while  actually  pursuing  it,  it  would  be  consistent 
with  that  holiness  of  character  which  alone  will  be  fol- 
lowed with  the  happiness  of  heaven.  We  should  thus 
continually  employ  tlie  immediate  prospect  of  eternity 
as  a  test  by  which  to  ascertain  the  propriety  or  the 
impropriety  of  all  we  do,  and  think,  and  say ;  by  which 
to  judge  of  the  correctness  or  erroneousness  of  "any 
doctrine  we  may  be  disposed  to  embrace,  and  the  worth 
or  insufficiency  of  any  of  the  principles  we  adopt  as 
our  own. 

It  is  by  applying  tliis  rule  to  the  gospel,  as  contain- 
ing the  principles  of  genuine  Christianity,  that  we  learn 
its  real  value  and  intrinsic  excellence.  The  doctrines 
to  which  it  invites  attention,  and  the  precepts  which  it 
enforces,  reduced  to  practice,  necessarily  lead  the  man 
who  is  enabled  by  Divine  grace  to  yield  himself  to  their 
influence,  into  a  state  in  which  he  may  not  only  regard 


55  THE    CHRISTIAN    OFFICER. 

eternity  in  near  pr^  spect  with  composure,  but  await  its 
approach  with  joy;  because  it  will  confirm  him  in  holi- 
ness for  ever,  and  secure  to  him,  through  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ,  an  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  the  Divine 
presence  and  love.  Nowhere  do  we  meet  with  attesta- 
tions so  strong  in  favor  of  scriptural  Christianity  as 
those  which  have  been  given  at  the  moment  when  this 
world  has  appeared  as  nothing,  and  the  soul  has  been 
absorbed  in  tlie  future.  Then  it  has  been  discovered 
that,  however  much  its  truths  are  questioned  by  mul- 
titudes, and  however  much  the  preference  denied  to 
these  may  have  given  to  other  systems,  nothing  —  no, 
nothing  —  but  the  religion  of  Jesus  can  lead  the  soul 
into  that  slate  for  which  death  has  no  terrors,  and  eter- 
nity no  alarm. 

It  was  with  a  view  to  give  such  a  testimony  that  a 
young  officer,  who  fell  in  the  siege  of  Algiers,  sat  down 
on  the  evening  before  the  engagement,  and^  in  the  antici- 
pation of  death,  wrote  three  letters,  ihe  expressions  in 
which,  as  far  as  regarded  religion,  he  wished  should  be 
considered  by  the  three  individuals  to  whom  they  were 
addressed,  as  coming  from  that  eternal  world  into  which 
he  had  a  presentiment  he  should  soon  enter.  Extracts 
from  two  of  these  letters  are  subjoined.  They  were 
written  at  a  season  when  a  man  was  not  likely  to  dis- 
semble; when  hypocrisy  would  not  guide  his  pen  nor 
influence  his  heart.  He  was  just  at  that  age  when  the 
world  looks  attractive,  when  hope  is  lively,  and  the  im- 
agination is  busy  in  picturing  to  itself  scenes  of  future 
delight.  He  was  young,  and  his  natural  disposition 
was  far  from  gloomy;  but,  under  the  influence  of  real 
religion,  he  cheerfully  resigned  the  fancied  pleasures 
which  arise  from  the  gaities  of  this  world  for  those 
which  afe  alone  to  be  discovered  in  the  heartfelt  service 
of  God.  There  was  a  time,  indeed,  when  on  these 
points  he  thought  and  acted  differently.  He  had 
ardently  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  his  professional 
studies  —  but  had  neglected  the  all-important  interests 
of  his  soul — until,  in  the  providence  of  God,  he  became 
acquainted  with  a  pious  medical  officer  in  the  navy. 
His  friend  resolved,  in  the  opportunities  of  conversation, 
to  bring  the  great  truths  of  vital  religion  before  his 
mind,  and,  if  possible,  to  excite  ^attention  to  them. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    OFFICER.  3 

Thry  first  conversed  on  llie  state  of  man,  as  an 
accountable  and  a  fallen  being — on  his  inability  to  ren- 
der satisfaction  to  the  Divine  law,  and  his  consequent 
exposure  to  eternal  punishment;  from  hence  they  were 
led  to  co^itcmplate  the  aionement  of  the  Lord"  Jesus 
Chiist — the  wonderful  and  glorious  plan  of  redemption, 
and  the  way  of  a  sinner's  pardon,  justification,  and 
acceptance  with  God.  Various  intervals  of  leisure  were 
improved  for  the  purpose  of  religious  conference  until, 
under  the  influence  of  Divine  teaching,  the  youth  beofan 
to  perceive  the  excellency  of  the  gospel,  and  to  be  afive 
to  his  own  state  as  a  sinner,  and  by  his  humble  inqui- 
ries, and  the  eagerness  with  which  he  sought  informa- 
tion, to  prove  hi-mself  sincerely  desirous  of  an  interest 
in  those  blessings  to  which  he  had  hitlierto  been  a 
stranger.  He  attended  with  earnestness  to  the  expla- 
nation of  saving  faith,  and  of  the  necessity,  nature  and 
evidences  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  regenerating  work  in 
the  heart;  in  prayer,  and  the  means  afTorded  by  God 
for  spiritual  improvement,  he  took  delight;  the  Divine 
prccej^ts  he  readily  received  as  the  rule  of  a  believer's 
life,  and  now  he  experienced  the  joy  of  communion 
with  God. 

As  the  consefjuence  of  this  alteration  in  his  views  in 
favor  of  personal  religion,  he  manifested  a  lively  solici- 
tude for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  others.  Many  letters 
attest  the  depth  of  tin's  anxiety,  but  there  is  one  senti- 
ment pervading  them  all  —  which  cannot  be  better 
expressed  than  in  his  own  language,  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend: — "Remember,  we  shall  all  be  lost  unless  Christ 
be  with  us,  who  says,  *  Ye  must  be  born  agfrin.'  We 
must  remember  that  God  is  just,  as  well  as  merciful,  and 
that  his  mercy  has  only  one  channel,  which  is  through 
his  Son." 

But  the  time  arrived  when  his  principles  should  be 
put  to  the  test;  when  he  should  feel  more  deeply  than 
he  had  ever  felt,  the  value  of  that  Saviour  whom  the 
gospel  reveals,  and  His  power  to  sustain  in  circum- 
stances when  the  spirit  needs  more  than  ordinary 
support.  On  the  evening  previous  to  llie  arrival  of  the 
fleet  ofT  Algiers,  he  gained  a  ({iw  moments  for  retirement, 
and  as  the  sun  went  down  upon  him  for  the  last  time,  he 
took  up  his  pen  and  wrote  the  following  letter  to  a  friend  : 


THE    CHRISTIAN    OFFICER. 

ETERNITY. 


My  dear 

I  must  date  my  letter  from  Eternity,  as  this  will 
never  reach  you,  unless  I  am  killed  in  the  ensuing 
fight  with  the  Algerines.  But  I  thank  m^'  Creator, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour,  that  the  terrors  of 
death  are  takea  away  by  his  blessed  redemption  of  poor 
ruined  sinners.  Since  I  left  England,  having  been 
without  the  converse  of  any  Christian  friend  on  board, 
I  have  been  suffering  doubts  and  fears;  which,  together 
with  some  persecution,  have  brought  me  very  low.  Oh, 
how  I  lono;-  to  talk  to  a  dear  friend,  of  "  Christ  and  him 
crucified  !"  but,  as  the  apostle  has  said,  "When  I  am 
weak,  then  am  I  strong."  I  pray  to  be,  in  the  strength 
of  my  blessed  Redeemer,  resigned  to  what  he  shall 
think  fit  to  appoint.  If  it  pleaseth  him  to  take  me  to 
himself,  I  hope  to  say  with  Paul,  "For  me  to  live  is 
Christ,  arfd  to  die  is  gain  !"  I  am  by  this  time  far  re- 
moved from  the  world  and  all  its  giddy  scenes  ;  my  last 
wish  is,  that  you  would  love  the  brethren,  whether  of 
high  or  low  estate;  here  it  is  I  notice  some  of  the  oldest 
Christians  to  fail.  Remember,  that  to  be  a  Christian  is 
the  highest  honor  man  can  possess,  and  "  by  this  shall 
all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples  if  ye  have  love 
one  to  another." 

Oh,  what  a  blessed,  indescribable  joy,  do  I  feel  now 
in  my  Justifier  before  an  offended  God  !  Now,  in  a  mo- 
ment when  the  worldly  boaster  trembles,  I  can  stand 
unappalled,  and  point  with  faith  to  my  Redeemer.  I 
wish  to  manifest  my  love  for  all  who  are  servants  of 
Christ.  *I  have  left  the  fashionable,  vain  world,  and, 
therefore,  speak  without  its  ceremonies.  I  speak,  as  it 
were,  from  that  place  where  ''  neither  moth  nor  rust 
doth  corrupt."  I  have  this  day  been  reading  the  book 
which  gave  you  so  much  comfort:  "  The  Life  of  Colonel 
Gardiner."  It  requires  all  my  prayers  to  keep  me 
spiritually  minded,  amidst  blasphemy  and  sin,  and  to 
be  looking  to  Christ  for  the  peace  which  he  alone  can 
give  his  saints.  The  H — s  is  in  the  fleet;  I  went  on 
board  of  her  when  we  called  at  Gibraltar,  and  refreshed 
myself  with  the  conversation  of  our  Lord's  servants.. 
Think  well  of  the  privileges  you  enjoy  of  being 
amongst  them,  and  conversing  with  them.     I  wish  all 


THE    CHRISTIAN    OFFICER.  5 

Christians  would  love  one  anollier;  but  worldly  pride 
draws  tlie  mind  from  these  celestial  delights.  May  the 
Saviour  of  mankind  send  his   Floly  Spirit  on  you  all! 

I  am,  with  sincerest  prayers  for  tlie  welfare  of  your 
dear  family,  Yours,  in  Christ. 


The  next  letter  is  addressed  to  his  mollier — a  son's 
last,  affectionate  farewell.  Sons  wiil  read  it  as  their 
own  language:  mothers  will  feel  it  addressed  to  them. 
The  words  of  a  child  to  a  beloved  parent  are  likely  to 
be  t])e  utterance  of  undisguised  affection.  It  is  no  easy 
thing  for  one  whose  mind  is  susceptible  of  every  tender 
emotion,  to  sit  down  and  tell  a  mother,  "  It  is  probable 
I  shall  never  see  you  more."  Under  such  a  feeling,  the 
sentiments  expressed  have  a  stamp  of  sincerity.  The 
letter  evidently  discovers  a  hurried  state  of  mind  —  a 
rapid  transition  from  one  subject  to  another — a  hovering 
of  thought  between  self  and  the  beloved  object  before 
the  imagination.  He  utters  in  this  the  same  expres- 
sions of  lively  confidence  as  in  the  preceding  letter,  with 
a  constant  reference  to  the  same  truths  as  the  ground  of 
his  support;  sudden  glances  at  the  littleness  of  this 
world,  and  the  g^randeur  of  another;  at  the  pains  of  tliis 
life,  and  the  glories  of  a  better.  But  its  principal  fea- 
ture is  a  tender  anxiety,  an  ardent  concern  about  the 
eternal  interests  of  his  mother  and  of  others  dear  to 
him;  the  pleading  eloquence  of  the  heart  that  strives 
to  prevail,  but  seems  embarrassed  by  the  importance  of 
its  subject.  He  alludes  to  every  truth,  and  uses  every 
consideration  to  make  them  bear  on  the  great  object  of 
salvation  by  Christ  alone  ;  while  he  strives,  if  possible, 
to  heal  the  wound  and  dry  the  tear  which  were  to  be  a 
mother's  lot,  when  he  had  passed  far  beyond  the  bound- 
aries which  enclose  sorrow  and  sighing,  pain  and  death. 

By  the  side  of  such  a  scene,  the  cold,  unsatisfied 
indifference  of  the  dying  infidel  looks  inconceivably 
pitiful — the  blasphemy  of  a  dying  profligate,  indescrib- 
ably wretched.  Contemplating  such  a  spectacle,  the 
believer  should  be  encouraged,  remembering  that  he 
who  imparted  to  this  young  officer  strength  equal  to  his 
day,  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  toward  him,  and 
enable  him  to  say,  as  he  did,  "I  die  trusting." 


0  THE    CHRISTIAN    OFFICER.  — 

ETERNITY. 

My  dear  mother  : 

1  arrived  with  the  fleet  in  the  Mediterranean,  and 
anchored  at  Gibraltar;  bat  findin^^  no  conveyance  to 
Malta,  where  Captain  resides  at  present,  I  re- 
mained on  board  this  ship.  We  are  off  Algiers,  and 
shall  attack  it  immediately.  If  I  do  not  live  to  see  you 
any  more,  you  will  receive  this,  as  I  leave  it  in  my  desk 
for  you.  It  is  expected  that  this  will  be  a  most  tremen- 
dous fight;  and  the  Albion,  from  her  situation,  will 
receive  more  fire  than  any  other  in  the  squadron.  I  am 
stationed  on  the  forecastle,  having  a  gun  there  under 
my  charge.  As  this  letter  will  not  reach  you  until  t 
am  launched  into  eternity,  know,  my  dear,  dear  mother, 
that  I  have  hope  in  my  Redeemer's  sufferings,  to  be 
justified  before  tlie  face  of  my  God.  While  writing 
this,  I  pray  that  my  fall  may  have  the  effect  of  pointing 
you  to  Him  who  only  can  save;  and  this  He  can  do  to 
the  very  uttermost.     I  should  indeed  dread  to  die;   but 

1  trust  that  if  I  do,  I  am  only  sent  to  sing  the  sooner  the 
praises  of  that  Redeemer  who  has  sent  his  grace  into 
my  heart. 

I  have  left  the  things  of  this  for  those  of  another 
world,  where  I  hope  my  Saviour  will  receive  me  as  one 
of  his  blessed — blessed  with  having  his  precious  grace. 

May  He  send  this  grace  into  all  your  hearts,  and  draw 
you  to  himself!  Remember  that  this  world  is  of  little 
consequence  to  me  at  this  moment.  "  All  is  vanity  !" 
Oh,  deceive  not  yourselves,  but  look  to  the.  Redeemer's 
sufferings  for  you  !  If  you  ask  for  his  grace  while  on 
this  earth,  you  shall  iiave  it.  God  coming  on  this  earth 
to  die  for  such  worms!  I  survey  this  plan  of  redemp- 
tion with  wonder,  and  love  Him  w^ho  died  for  me.  Re- 
member, O,  mother,  that  my  last  wish  is,  that  you  pray 
earne^stly  for  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  for  the  saving  grace 
of  Christ,  which  alone  can  make  me  happy  at  this  time. 
By  the  time  you  receive  this,  I  shall  long  have  been 
gone,  I  hope,  to  heaven  Don't  grieve  for  me,  for  by 
that  time  I  shall  be  witli  the  Redeemer;  but  be  con- 
cerned for  your  own  souls,  which  are  liable  to  be  re- 
quired of  you  each  day,  each  moment.  Look  that  you 
be  ready,  if  they  be  required  of  you,     I  feel  quite  re- 


THE    CHRISTIAV    OFFICER. 


signed    to  all   that  can   happen    to    me,  as  I  know  I  am 
under  the  direction  of  a  Joving  Father.      MyJast  prayer 
IS,    that  you  may   all    know  Christ,  and  him  crucified. 
Learn  to  think  yourself  a  sinner  by  nature,  and  that  all 
your  chanties   are  as  dust  before  God,  unless  you  have 
and  fee.  a  love  to  Christ  surpassing  all  other  love.     If 
you    have   not  this  love,  pray  earnestly  that  vou  may 
feel  It,  and  that  immediately;  for  see  how  I  am  cut  off 
m   the   prime  o[  youth.       If  I  knew  that  you    had   ob- 
tained by  faiih  an  interest  in  Clu-ist,  I  could  depart  into 
another  world   with  delight.     Oh,  embrace  Christ,  who 
alone  can  >ave  !     Let  these  words  strike  on  your  hearts 
with    treble    force.     Read,   especially,   the   iNew  Testa- 
ment   the  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  and  Doddridge's  Rise 
and  Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul.     Know  that  ihe^e 
things  are  now  what  I  rest  on.     Silver  and  gold  are  of 
no  consequence   to   me  now:   Christ  is   the  only  nfucre 
trom  the   wrath    to   come.      Remember,  that  if'  by  the 
time  you  receive  this  1  am   in  heaven,  it  is  not   by  mine 
own  works,  but   through  Christ,  who  was  the  only  one 
that  ever  kept  the  law.      He  is  our  justification   before 
Ihe  pure  throne  of  heaven.      The  God  that  dwells  there 
IS   of  purer  eyes  than  to   behold  iniquity;"   therefore 
He  will  not  behold  us  e.xcept  through  a  blessed    Media- 
tor, Christ;  to    whom    we    must  pray  for   His   blessed 
Spirit  to  help  us,  seeing  that  our  state  is   by  nature  sin- 
ful. "  Except  ye  be  born  again"  of  Christ's  Holy  Spirit, 
"  ye  cannot  enter  into  the  kinodom  of  heaven  V 

Let   this   shock   make  you   fly  to  Christ;   if 'so,  I  wil- 
lingly die;   for  I  shall  soon   see  you,  if  you  fro  to  H  m 
in  another  and  a   better  world.      I  die  trustin^'cr.      I  com- 
mend   you    all    again    into    His    hands,   who°can    bless 
you    until  I  see  you  in   heaven.      We  shall  meet  arrain 
perhaps,  very  soon.  °       ' 

The  view  of  a  fellow-creature  in  the  immediate 
ant.cipation  of  a  change  of  worlds,  ought  to  produce 
senousriess.  It  is  solemn  to  gaze  on  the  countenance 
which  thoughts  of  eternity  have  marked  with  awe,  and 
over  which  death  is  drawing  its  paleness.  It  is  equally 
interesting  to  watch  the  mind,  and  see  how  the  moral 
features  are  affected  by  the  contemplation  of  immortal- 
ity; how  they  change  at  the  sight  of  a  world  of  happi- 


8  THE    CHRISTIAN    OFFICER. 

ness  or  a  world  of  mist^ry,  p.nd  at  the  approach  of  the 
messenger  who  will  inevitably  introduce  the  departing 
spirit  to  one  or  other  of  these  states  to  dwell  for  ever 
there. 

In  reference  to  the  subject  of  this  brief  narrative,  it 
need  not  be  inquired  whence  this  calm,  tliis  happy 
state  of  mind,  this  bright  prospect  of  eternity;  nothing 
said  about  the  fears  of  danger,  the  pain  of  death  ;  no 
want  of  courage  to  face  suffering,  but»all  pleasure  in 
the  soul.  All  is  the  legitimate  result  of  a  well-grounded 
reliance  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  need  not  ask 
why  this  eager  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  others — this 
strono;  anxiety  that  they  might  know  and  love  the 
truths  of  the  gospel.  They  had  been  precious  to  him, 
and  he  wished  his  friends  to  know  their  value.  Christ 
was  the  foundation  of  his  own  hopes;  and  he  knew  that 
there  was  "  none  other  name  given  under  heaven  among 
men  whereby  they  must  be  saved." 

The  sequel  of  his  history  may  be  told  in  few  words. 
He  had  but  just  concluded  the  letter  to  his  mother, 
sealed  it,  and  placed  it  in  his  desk,  w^hen  active  prepara- 
tions for  the  coming  conflict  commenced.  His  presenti- 
ments were  verified.  During  the  action,  his  head  was 
struck  by  a  ball  from  the  batteries  of  the  Algerines,  and 
he  was  laid  low  in  an  instant.  He  was  carried  below: 
the  surgeons  examined  him,  but  the  vital  spark  was  ex- 
tinct. He  had  exchanged  the  roar  of  battle  for  the 
songs  of  heaven  :  he  had  forgotten  the  tumult  of  warfare 
in  those  peaceful  regions  where  they  learn  the  art  of 
war  no  more. 

Learn,  then,  dear  reader,  that  eternity  has  no  terrors 
for  the  soul  that  is  in  Christ.  Consider  how  great  and 
innumerable  are  the  blessings  connected  with  real  reli- 
gion ;  how  it  fills  the  soul  with  satisfaction  and  joy,  to 
feel  that  sin  is  pardoned,  and  that  all  is  safe  for  another 
world;  and  how  it  cheers  life  when,  on  good  grounds,  a 
man  can  apply  to  himself  the  blessings  to  which  the 
Scripture  invites,  and  say,  ^'iMy  maker  is  my  friend  ;  he 
will  never  leave  me,  nor  forsake  me  :  he  has  promised 
to  bless  me  here,  and  will  at  last  receive  me  to  himself." 

PUBLISHED    BY    THE    SOUTH    CAROLINA    TRACT    SOCIETY. 

Printed  by  Evans  &  Cogswell,  No.  3  Broad  street,  Ciiaiieston,  S.  C. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


